If you deal with bad breath on a regular basis, you’re probably anxious to find a way to rid yourself of the issue. If you’ve tried gum, mints, and mouthwash to no avail, you may be feeling as if there’s no hope. Luckily, there are a number of things you can try on a regular basis to ensure that you are doing all that you can to have the freshest breath possible. Below you will find the 5 tips you need to get rid of your constant bad breath.

1. Brush Twice a Day

Most likely, you brush your teeth daily. Twice a day may be hit or miss. However, it’s incredibly important that you brush at least twice a day to rid your teeth and gums of plaque buildup. Plaque, which is basically a filmy combo of bacteria, mucus, and food particles, can attach itself to your teeth and gums very quickly. If you aren’t brushing at least twice a day, you’re allowing that bacteria to grow. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, which can irritate your gums and lead to gum disease. To avoid these issues, as well as bad breath, brush whenever you can.

2. Floss Daily

While it may sound crazy, to rid your mouth of unwanted bacteria and plaque buildup, it’s important to floss every single day. Your toothbrush can’t get in the little crevices between teeth, and this is a breeding ground for bacteria. By flossing each day, you are doing your part to prevent plaque and tartar buildup, gum disease, and bad breath.

3. Visit Your Dentist

Twice yearly visits to your dentist are highly encouraged, not only to keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh, but as a preventative measure. A professional cleaning will allow your dentist to remove any plaque or tartar buildup that you may have missed while brushing or flossing. Your dentist will also be able to look for signs of a number of diseases, from gum disease to oral cancer, many of which can cause bad breath. If you haven’t been to the dentist in some time, call and make an appointment as soon as possible!

4. Watch What You Eat

What you eat can either make your breath smell much worse, or help to freshen it. If you’re eating food such as garlic, onions, meat, or heavily seasoned dishes, you will likely have bad breath for some time. Not only will the smell be in your mouth, but once it makes its way into your bloodstream and into your lungs, each time you breath you will be releasing the smell. The smell won’t truly be gone until the food is completely out of your system. On the flip side, some foods can help freshen your breath. Fruits that are high in Vitamin C and many vegetables that are high in fiber can freshen breath and encourage saliva production, which helps remove food particles from your teeth.

5. Stop Smoking

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are notorious for causing bad breath. Not only do they cause an immediate smell from use, but they can lower your immunity and leave you more susceptible to infection and diseases such as gum disease that cause bad breath. Unfortunately, gum, mints, and even brushing your teeth will only mask the smell for a few moments. The only way to avoid bad breath in this case is to stop using these products all together.

Bad breath doesn’t have to be a constant in your life. By following the tips above you will be well on your way to a healthy mouth and fresh breath. Download our free eBook below the "7 Step Checklist to Determine if You Have Gum Disease" in order to see if your bad breath is more than just that.